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Kaikoura convoys halted by rain

Rain has closed the inland road to Kaikōura and prompted a reminder for people to stay out of the hills surrounding the quake-hit coastal town.

Hurunui District Council says people should stay out of Kaikōura and North Canterbury rivers north of the Waiau because of a risk of landslides, particularly after the recent rain.

A convoy north from Mt Lyford on the inland route on Friday morning was cancelled as was a southbound convoy that was due to leave Kaikōura at 2pm.

A helicopter was unable to do the pre-convoy road inspection and rain means there are likely to be additional slips on the road.

The next convoys are planned for Monday.

There was a public meeting in Cheviot late Friday morning and one is scheduled in Mt Lyford during the afternoon.

On Thursday 12 residents at Goose Bay on a higher plateau were told they could return to their properties.

But owners of properties lower down and on the coast still have to wait until more research is done by scientists on a dam that has formed behind a landslide. The research is expected by the end of next week.

Goose Bay, which is 7km south of Kaikōura, has about 35 houses but several are holiday homes.